📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Union Plumbers Donate Time, Supplies to Flint Residents Residents were most likely flush with relief after 300 volunteers helped install fixtures.

By Lindsay Friedman

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Sarah Rice | Getty
Terrence Tyler (R) replaces their old water filter as Mary Stewart looks at their residence in Shiloh Commons January 21, 2016 in Flint, Michigan.

Sometimes, the search for a good plumber can be rough. But that wasn't the case on Saturday for folks in Flint, Mich., which has struggled with poisoned tap water since 2014.

Three hundred members of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) donated their time to install donated faucets and other plumbing fixtures, including Brita water filters, for residents whose homes are affected by the town's ongoing water crisis.

Related: 4 Inspiring Stories of Women Entrepreneurs From Around the World

The crew consisted of plumbers from local unions across the country after PMI and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry joined forces, according to an article from MLive.com.

"We appreciate the generosity of our members, the UA plumbers, IAPMO and everyone else that is helping to assure safe drinking water for the residents of the Flint area," Barbara C. Higgens, PMI CEO and executive director, said in a statement.

Issues regarding Flint's water quality started in 2014 after a series of changes in local leadership and policy lead to a switch in its water supply. Soon after the change, E. coli was found and several boil water advisories were issued. Problems in water quality and government responses followed for about another year until tests revealed high levels of lead in the water and a number of children were diagnosed with lead poisoning. The news made national headlines as the city declared a state of emergency.

Still without a remedy for its water woes, government officials are blaming the city's poor financial status after Flint Mayor Karen Weaver estimated it would cost $1.5 billion to replace the city's pipes. Even if the town had the funds, the overhaul would take years to complete.

Without an easy fix, it was obvious the people of Flint needed some good news.

It's not the first time Flint's misfortunes made headlines. As an old manufacturing town, its economy's struggled since one of it's main employers, General Motors, shut down and downsized existing plants. It became -- and still is -- one of the poorest cities in the country.

Related: 10 Twitter Feeds For a Timely Dose of Inspiration
Lindsay Friedman

Staff writer. Frequently covers franchise news and food trends.

Lindsay Friedman is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

She Ditched Her Steady Job in Tech to Pursue Her Love of Food. Now She's a Food Network Champion and Celebrated Cookbook Author.

A self-taught vegan chef known for her sustainable cooking practices, Chef Priyanka Naik's journey from the tech world to the Food Network is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Hear her insights into how embracing your unique path can lead to entrepreneurial success.

Leadership

9 Productivity Tips That the 1% Know to Follow

Is your inner high-performer waiting to be unleashed? If so, here's what the 1% swear by for peak productivity.

Devices

Save More Than 70 Percent on This iPad Pro

This refurbished iPad Pro comes with 32GB of storage space.

Starting a Business

Ask Marc | Get Free Business Advice From the Co-Founder of Netflix

Get the answers to your most challenging business problems during our next Ask Marc, live Q&A, on 5/9/24 at 2 PM ET. You don't want to miss it—send in your questions now.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Franchise

Franchising Is Not For Everyone. Explore These Lucrative Alternatives to Expand Your Business.

Not every business can be franchised, nor should it. While franchising can be the right growth vehicle for someone with an established brand and proven concept that's ripe for growth, there are other options available for business owners.